Book Review: Time of Contempt by Andrzej Sapkowski

Continuing on in our story about Geralt, The Witcher of Rivia, Time of Contempt sets the story at a much bigger picture. We see larger forces; groups of magicians, bands of elves, and armies clashing together, all while Geralt and Yennefer are trying to keep Ciri safe.

The universe is expanding and the story is so much more fleshed out. There’s war, conspiracy, spies lurking about. We’re learning more about the big dealings of things, even though we’re still very much in the shadows. Geralt is caught up in a coup, and armies start advancing on each other.

In the middle of this, Ciri is growing up. She goes to school, and Yennefer drags her around trying to raise her. She encounters some monsters of her own, and some bandits, and a unicorn, and some rats. I love following her story, it’s both a coming-of-age, seeing this young girl grow up, but also a magical adventure as she learns about the world.

Sapkowski’s writing is still beautiful, it pulls you in and doesn’t let go. Even though this is a series of fantasy novels like so many others, it’s also incredibly unique. I think it has a lot do with Sapkowski’s inspirations from European and maybe particularly Polish fairy tales. It makes the story feel rooted in something old and recognizable, and I just love it.

I’m about to start book no. 5 of 7, Baptism of Fire, and I’m really looking forward to the action picking up. Not that these first books aren’t exciting, but there’s a lot of building up to the inevitable clash. It’s going to be awesome.

Highly recommended fantasy series, especially if you’re looking for something a bit outside the norm.